merrywood

A gem in dialectic within a well-written scenario, the cast of this film greatly helps it. It stars Cynthia Nixon, who is both extraordinary and memorable as the notable American poet, Emily Dickinson. Her resemblance to Dickinson is uncanny. Keith Carradine, an actor whom I have not seen enough of, heads up the able supporting cast.

As opposed to nit-picking a quality production that is miraculous simply for having been made in today's movie industry, it seems to me that just sitting back and marveling over it is more appropriate and certainly more suitable. The periodicity in costumes, sets, properties, music and upscale 19th Century behaviors all felt spot on.

Many years ago, the late, great film director, Frank Capra, whom I had met, sent me a poem by Emily Dickinson. Her work was, by then, only dimly lit way in the back of my mind, as an English (and psychology) major in college. I was so taken by the poem (her work does this to most readers) that I researched her biography and eventually traveled all the way to Amherst, Mass., where her house still stands. Providence saluted my choice with wonderful weather for the journey.

My hopes are for this films' recognition, one that it well deserves.